Alex Kovalev rips former Sens coach, Ottawa media

One of the best parts about breakups in professional sports is the possibility of parting shots. Now that Alexei Kovalev has left not only the Ottawa Senators (he did that at the trade deadline when he was shipped to the Penguins) but the NHL, he's letting his feelings be known on one of his old stomping grounds.

After signing a two-year contract with Atlant of the KHL (where he will join Nikolay Zherdev), Kovalev said he did have offers from two teams in the NHL, but he was hoping to find a contract beyond one season, which he received in the KHL.

Perhaps he saved his most scathing shots for those in the Ottawa media.

"And the fact I am criticized ... There are different journalists. My opinion of Ottawa journalists is that they don't watch hockey at all. When they fly with the team and go through the [metal detector] at an airport, their bags are filled with beer. You realize right away what these people do when they write about the NHL." (Note to self: Ask boss for relocation to Ottawa.)

"I am annoyed when people write [nonsense]. Figuratively speaking, to earn half a hundred dollars they are ready to make up some garbage. But they show that they're doing their job."

Gee, Alexei, how do you really feel?

But we might not have seen the last of Kovalev in North America. He says he would still like to finish his career in the NHL since that's where he began. Count me among those who would like to see that and would be glued to his return to Ottawa.

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Since: Jun 8, 2009

Posted on: August 9, 2011 7:02 pm

Alex Kovalev rips former Sens coach, Ottawa media

Talented and enigmatic - and not a guy the Senators wanted in the dressing room. This year is all about rebuilding and the youngsters don't need a head case in the room. Let Alfredsson, Gonchar, Phillips, and Spezza have the opportunity to impart some real knowledge without having to contend with an aging talent that has been anything but consistent (yes, a few of very good years - two with the Penguins, one with the Canadiens - but they were 7 years apart).

As far as his comments about Clouston goes - can't say that they really amount to much. It's always easy to point the finger at someone else when things don't go your way. For me, the telling part is that there are many players - more respected, perhaps - that haven't said anything about Cory Clouston. Maybe that's them just keeping it classy, or maybe it's that they don't think that the woes of the Senators this past season should be hung completely on Clouston's head.

Regarding the comments about the Ottawa media travelling with beer - I would think that airport security officials would be more upset about those allegations. And if they ring true, and security employees are busted for showing some sort of favoritism, there just might be some hard feelings if Kovie travels back to North America. But honestly - I just can't see it (can anyone see a beat writer for the Ottawa Senators getting any kind of special consideration from airport security anywhere?).

To be completely honest, considering his age, attitude, declining talent, the fact that he doesn't play centre...I'm kind of surprised the Leafs didn't sign him to a multi-year deal.

Since: Feb 19, 2007

Posted on: August 9, 2011 12:37 pm

Alex Kovalev rips former Sens coach, Ottawa media

You can call Kovalev a lot of things (disappointment, cry baby, soft..) but not being a clutch player isnt one of them. I have seen a lot of Kovalev -did have talent coming out of the wazoo, and definitely was never the player anyone expected him to be. But he was a clutch player in the 94 playoffs with 21 points, and is one of the first russians with his name on the cup. His career averages about .8 points per game, and the roughly same in the playoffs.

Since: Jul 8, 2008

Posted on: August 9, 2011 8:30 am

If there`s ever been a bigger disappointment...

I`ve yet to see it.Come crunch time,this guy has gone out for a skate more than any other NHL player in history.Yep,talent coming out the wazoo,but one of the most uninspired cry baby`s the game`s ever seen.Just when you`d need him the most,he`d go into his "don`t pass that thing to me" mode. When so many teams depended on him to bring when they needed it most,he`d dissapear.And that`s why he ended up on so many teams.Kind of like a Randy Moss.Always that lingering fear that he might just take the next play off.Kovalev took off whole games.No wonder the press ripped him.He`s lucky he didn`t get what he really deserved from them.

Since: Jul 1, 2010

Posted on: August 9, 2011 8:26 am

Alex Kovalev rips former Sens coach, Ottawa media

I wonder what he really said before the translation. Easy guy to bash, but he may be on to something about Clouston. Always funny when guys run their mouths about the organization they just left. I'm not sure if I prefer the ones that blame coaches, media, or management on something not working out. I thought we would have had some more of this type of thing because of all the big player trades and FAs signing with new teams. Thanks Alex, I was worried the NHLPA may have been successful about getting their players in line with some professionalism when it comes to public comments about their former franchise. Sean Avery is not believed to have commented on the Kovalev comments.

Since: Feb 12, 2010

Posted on: August 9, 2011 2:44 am

Alex Kovalev rips former Sens coach, Ottawa media

Sure there are tons of teams that would sign kovalev to a one year contract. If every team had garth snow as their GM. Anyone to suggest that he is an NHL talent is miss led by the money he makes. As far as a ton of tams that would sign him... he said two teams. A bit off a ton of teams. You can bet the Islanders were in there(of course they also want yashin to play for them).

Since: Feb 11, 2009

Posted on: August 9, 2011 1:26 am

Alex Kovalev rips former Sens coach, Ottawa media

The Montreal fans loved Kovalev for the explosive talent he could bring one on one, but I thought he was especially good gaining the zone on the power play; in fact I've never seen anyone do it better! Clouston..., what can you say..., he alienated Dany Heatley (I was never a Heatley fan but he could score goals, and they traded Hossa for him)..., nobody played for Clouston and so I trust Kovalev's judgement..., he must be more articulate than that huh! About the only thing Bryan Murray has going for him is that he wasn't the guy who let Chara walk for Wade Redden..., what a monumental lack of vision and hockey sense..., but Murray has done nothing in his tenure; I'm surprised he still has a job.

Since: Dec 27, 2007

Posted on: August 9, 2011 1:26 am

Alex Kovalev rips former Sens coach, Ottawa media

But we might not have seen the last of Kovalev in North America. He says he would still like to finish his career in the NHL since that's where he began. Count me among those who would like to see that and would be glued to his return to Ottawa.